Everything
Back in December, it appeared that Christmas had arrived early when Donald Trump was officially impeached for only the third time in history. It was a service of justice for much of the country but little was known about what five months of trials would conclude to. On Wednesday however, the impeachment inquiry was closed after the Senate voted to acquit the President of two articles, abuse of power and obstruction of justice.
For a conviction to take place, 67 percent or two-thirds of the senate must vote against Trump for him to be removed from office in which case, the Vice President will take over. This was not reached however, but it was an extremely close call. Driving tension in the room, Sen. Mitt Romney, a Utah Republican, found the President guilty of abuse of power, and became the first senator in US history to vote to remove from office a president from the same party. He was the sole Republican to do so with the first article of impeachment gaining a 52-48 not guilty vote. The second article, obstruction of congress, found a 53-47 not guilty vote with Romney voting with the Republicans.
Romney described the vote as “the most difficult decision I have ever faced”, while he believed his faith led him to vote against Trump. “Corrupting an election to keep oneself in office is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one’s oath of office that I can imagine,” Romney said in explaining his vote.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has garnered a slew of her own memes after she ripped up Trump’s speech during the trial in an icy exchange with the President. She had reminded the politician he is “impeached for life” by the House, and isn’t completely exonerated of the charges. The Democrats have vowed to continue to investigate Trump. The question remains as to what effect it has had on the public in November when he may be voted in for a second term in office.
Stay tuned for further developments.
